Solid vs. Pneumatic Tires: A Performance Comparison

As industrial vehicles place higher demands on tire safety and durability, the application scenarios of solid tires and pneumatic tires are becoming increasingly distinct, and the difference in performance between the two has therefore become a core issue of focus within and outside the industry.

Solid tires are industrial tires suitable for vehicles running at low speeds and high loads. They have similar dimensions to pneumatic tires of the same specifications, and their rims are interchangeable (except for one-piece deep groove and semi-deep groove rims). Compared with pneumatic tires, they have the following differences:

1.Different use occasions and conditions:

Solid tires are suitable for any low-speed operation occasions. They are field vehicles and cannot be used for road transportation, but their puncture resistance, tear resistance, and high safety performance make them very useful in harsh environments. For example, coal mine support vehicles use tires such as 17.5-25, 18.00-25 solid OTR tires . Pneumatic tires may be punctured and scrapped in one trip, while solid OTR tires do not have the risk of puncture and blowout. There are also Passenger Boarding Solid Tires. Considering their safety, only solid tires can be used, and pneumatic tires are not dared to be used.

2.Different service life:

Because the total thickness of the wear-resistant layer of the tread of a solid tire is 3 to 4 times that of a pneumatic tire, it has a higher wear-resistant life. At the same time, because the solid tire is a rubber elastomer as a whole, it has puncture resistance and high heat explosion resistance, so the overall life of a solid tire is higher than that of a pneumatic tire of the same specification. For example, the life of an 18.00-25 solid tire used on a front crane can reach more than 6,000 hours.

3.Similar energy consumption:

The rolling resistance coefficient of  solid tires is lower than or close to that of pneumatic tires of the same specification, so its energy consumption is lower than or close to that of pneumatic tires of the same specification, especially when used on electric vehicles without worrying about battery life.

4.Different maintenance costs and labor efficiency:

Because solid tires are integral rubber elastomers, the pain of repairing and inflating pneumatic tires can be eliminated, reducing maintenance time and improving vehicle utilization.

5.Safety:

This is the unique advantage of solid tires. Because of their puncture resistance, heat explosion resistance and stability in the event of sudden damage, they can ensure the safety of the driver and the vehicle. For example, aerial work vehicles basically use solid tires due to their safety requirements.